Kerry Hints at Progress in Ukraine Talks

Secretary of State John Kerry hinted on Wednesday that the crisis in Ukraine might be inching closer to a diplomatic resolution after he met with Russia’s top diplomat.

“We agreed today, both sides and the Ukrainians also, that we are all better served if this can be resolved through dialogue,” Kerry told reporters in Paris after meeting there with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

“Ukraine’s territorial integrity must be restored and must be respected,” Kerry said.

While signaling that progress may have been made, Kerry cautioned that no one expected “that we were suddenly going to resolve [the Ukraine crisis] this afternoon.”

“I want us to be realistic,” he said. “This is hard, tough stuff.”

Kerry’s comments came after his first meeting with Lavrov since Russian forces sparked an international crisis by seizing control of the Crimea region of Ukraine last week.

Unarmed Ukrainian soldiers approach Russian positions on the perimeter of the contested Belbek air force base in Crimea, March 4, 2014.

Yuri Kozyrev—NOOR for TIME

Ukrainian soldiers at the Belbek air force base in Crimea, March 4, 2014.

Yuri Kozyrev—NOOR for TIME

Ukrainian sailors, on a ship blocked by Russian forces, spoke to their relatives at the port of Sevastopol, March 4, 2014.

Yuri Kozyrev—NOOR for TIME

Russian soldiers speak to a family near the Ukrainian military base in Bakhchysaray, Crimea, March 3, 2014.

Yuri Kozyrev—NOOR for TIME

Sailors stand on board the Ukrainian navy corvette Ternopil at harbor of Sevastopol, March 3, 2014.

Yuri Kozyrev—NOOR for TIME

A Ukrainian woman reacts as troops in unmarked uniforms hold positions in Perevalnoye, a small Ukrainian base roughly 15 miles south of Simferopol on Sunday, March 2, 2014. About two dozen Ukrainian soldiers could be seen behind her.

Yuri Kozyrev—NOOR for TIME

Troops stand guard near the base in Perevalnoye on Sunday. Hundreds of soldiers in unmarked uniforms surrounded the base, using vehicles with Russian license plates.

Yuri Kozyrev—NOOR for TIME

A priest stands next to troops in Perevalnoye on Sunday.

Yuri Kozyrev—NOOR for TIME

Members of a pro-Russian group stationed themselves in front of government buildings and a statue of Lenin in Simferopol on Sunday.

Yuri Kozyrev—NOOR for TIME

Members of a pro- Russian group raise a Russian flag in front of a military base in Simferopol on Sunday.

Yuri Kozyrev—NOOR for TIME

Troops in unmarked uniforms stand guard in Balaklava on the outskirts of Sevastopol, Ukraine, Saturday, March 1, 2014.

Andrew Lubimov—AP

A woman waves a Russian flag as armed servicemen wait near Russian army vehicles outside a Ukrainian border guard post in the Crimean town of Balaclava, March 1, 2014.

Baz Ratner—Reuters

Armed servicemen wait in Russian army vehicles in the Crimean town of Balaclava, March 1, 2014.

Baz Ratner—Reuters

A flag of the Russian Navy hangs from a tree as policemen stand guard in front of the local parliament building on Feb. 28, 2014 in Simferopol.

Soldiers, who were wearing no identifying insignia and declined to say whether they were Russian or Ukrainian, patrol outside the Simferopol International Airport after a pro-Russian crowd had gathered on Feb. 28, 2014.

Sean Gallup—Getty Images

The gunmen wearing similar military uniforms without markings leave the scene by military trucks after captured the airport in the capital of Ukraine's Crimea region, Simferopol on Feb. 28, 2014.

Bulent Doruk—Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Russian troops block the road way towards the military airport at the Black Sea port of Sevastopol in Crimea, Feb. 28, 2014.

Andrew Lubimov—AP

Sheep graze next to an old election sign on a road from Simferopol to Sevastopol reads "Yanukovych is the hope of Crimea", Feb. 27, 2014.

Baz Ratner—Reuters

A Pro-Russian demonstrator waves Russian and Crimea flags atop an old Soviet Army tank during a protest in front of a local government building in Simferopol, Feb. 27, 2014.

Darko Vojinovic—AP

People carry a giant Russian flag during a pro-Russian rally in Simferopol, Feb. 27, 2014.

David Mdzinarishvili—Reuters

Men stand during a pro-Russian rally outside the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol, Feb. 27, 2014.

Baz Ratner—Reuters

Barricades block the entrance to government buildings in Simferopol, Crimea, with a banner that reads "Crimea Russia," Feb. 27, 2014.

Darko Vojinovic—;AP

A Ukrainian man walks away after being injured in a stampede during clashes at rallies held by ethnic Russians and Crimean Tatars near the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol, Feb. 26, 2014.

Baz Ratner—Reuters

Ukrainian men help pull one another out of a stampede beneath a flag of Crimea during clashes at rallies held by ethnic Russians and Crimean Tatars near the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol Feb. 26, 2014.

Baz Ratner—Reuters

Ukrainian and Russian supporters clash during a protest near the Parliament building in Simferopol, Feb. 26, 2014.

Arthur Shvarts—EPA

Pro-Russian activists pray near the Crimean Parliament building in Simferopol, Feb. 26, 2014.

Arthur Shvarts—EPA

Crimean Tatars hold flags during rallies near the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol, Feb. 26, 2014.

Baz Ratner—Reuters

Ukrainian police officers guard local government building during a protest in Simferopol, Feb. 26, 2014.

Darko Vojinovic—AP

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